subject: Take Advantage Of Resources For Effective Teaching [print this page] Author: Andrew Regan Author: Andrew Regan
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions but it isn't always the easiest one. Due to the fact that everyone learns in different ways and at a different rate, there are a number of attributes that are needed to be a successful teacher. Luckily many of these can be learned and honed over the years and, by the same token, even the most confident teacher can find that new ways of sharing knowledge can help them achieve their goals more effectively.
There are many different teaching methods and the ones that you choose to employ will depend largely on the information that you are imparting. However, while the level of complexity and subject matter will change, there are certain tenets of teaching that are equally applicable whether you are teaching children or adults. For example, even though you may have extensive knowledge of your subject and are sure you can talk confidently about it indefinitely, a good lesson plan is essential for making sure that your pupils leave with a focused impression.
Luckily there are many resources available both on and offline to help you corral your thoughts and create a concise and effective lesson plan that will ensure that your key points are highlighted. You might want to think about employing a flip chart or investigating software that allows you to give a memorable presentation.
Another important aspect of teaching successfully is making sure that your students are involved in the learning process. It has long been recognised that memories are better retained when people do things for themselves rather than hearing how to do them, and this applies to all aspects of learning to some extent. For example, an interactive experiment, display or quiz ensures that pupils have to apply the knowledge they've gained. This also has the advantage of engaging and stimulating individuals during the learning process and meaning they will be less likely to drift off during the lesson.
On the same note, it can be hard for people to concentrate for a sustained period of time. It has been suggested that people can only focus intently on a lecture, for example, for roughly 15 minutes at a time. This is not due to a lack of effort, so compensate for it rather than getting annoyed by it. Make sure that you repeat central points to ensure that everyone in the room will have the chance to pick up on them and think about breaking up your time with short breaks or question and answer sessions.
Whatever subject you are teaching or information you want to share, you'll find that by keeping up to date with the techniques and teacher resources available you'll be able to enjoy planning and giving your lessons effectively.About the Author:
Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
